Stolen Artifacts

Astrid made her face look aghast, and stared at Hayden, who was still, his lips trembling, his body frozen as though carved from ice.

"Astrid?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you see that sign?" He asked, his arm slowly forming up and pulling it higher to show the sign Astrid saw.

"Yeah..." She muttered, her eyes not leaving the sign.

Artifacts have been stolen. Astrid heaved a sigh as Hayden placed his hand on her head. Astrid slowly closed her eyes and re-opened them, forcing a painful, small smile on her face.

"Let's go then," She said, her disappointment getting over her.

"Er what?"

"I said let's go!"

"Where? We haven't gotten a single clue!" Hayden bursted into a sad smile.

"I just thought that maybe we ca- that's it!" Astrid yelled.

"Yeah?" Hayden laughed, looking over at Astrid.

"We need to find out who stole the photographs! That's the next clue!"

Hayden slowly nodded as he grabbed her hand and squeezed it firmly, yawning lightly and standing up a bit taller.

"Right...how tho?"

"I dunno, let's try sneaking it in!" Astrid cried, her mind going out of control.

"WHAT?" Hayden yelped, his face becoming more and more white.

"Yeah! You heard me!"

"No way! If we make it out of there alive, it's a miracle!"

"It's our only hope, Hay,"

"Right...-No...it isn't!" He said. It was clear he wasn't sure whether Astrid would approved of what he would say next.

Astrid tried to look confused, and said, "Then what?"

"Why don't we...question some of the likely suspects...?" Hayden said, his face becoming less pale and more himself.

"Wow! I've been dumb!"

"Thank you," smiled Hayden, and he looked around the village as though he could search it so quickly it was swift.

Hayden and Astrid set off at once, a piece of paper clutched in Astrid's hands, and a pen in Hayden's. Astrid wasn't even sure which direction they should go. The city had criss crosses, and twists. It was like a maze.

Bemused, Astrid began to walk forward and looked over at Hayden. He was mumbling words Astrid didn't understand, and when she looked at him, he smiled humourlessly. That's when she looked around her and realized a transparent bubble was covering them. It appeared that Hayden was creating it as a defensive water spell.

Wishing she had powers just like Hayden, they arrived at the first house nearest to them, and they looked around to find any signs of immediate danger.

When they didn't, Astrid looked over at Hayden, and gave him a look which meant "Knock, Hay,". He seemed to understand her and gave her a timid nod.

Hayden walked forward and gave the door a sharp knock. Nothing happened, and Astrid couldn't help but frown. She tried to give the door a push, but it didn't budge.

She looked over at Hayden and an idea sparked at Astrid. "Hayden!" She cried.

Hayden stared at her, and said in a small, distant voice, "Yes?"

"What are the offence spells called?" She asked, not realizing how stupid it sounded. Hayden mumbled a complicated word.

"There's the most common one, Mumblinus Mumbletanis," He replied coolly in a would be calm voice.

Astrid tried with all her might to think, ignoring the fact that "Mumblinus Mumbletanis" was the longest word she knew. Mumblinus Mumbletanis...think, she said to herself. She continued to mouth the words, but nothing happened.

How could she ever think she had powers?

She shook with frustration and Hayden gave her an encouraging smile. Before she could share that same smile, he grabbed her wrist and gave the door a knock with her hand.

The earth around them shook and Astrid leaped up in fear. Hayden's face was as white as a sheet and they were both staring around for the cause of this problem.

But at that moment, a bullet shot out of the air, and hit Hayden. He fell to the ground and lay motionless on the floor. Astrid let out a gasp that never left her side.